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Exploding trench toy may spark bidding battles

PITTSBURGH — Old Toy Soldier Auctions is gearing up for a huge three-day auction June 21-23 with 1,600 lots of soldiers and figures from two prominent collections.

Bidders can participate in person, via absentee, phone and live online through

Britains ‘Exploding Trench,’ is one of only three known examples to still exist, and it is expected to fetch $3,000 to $5,000. (Photo courtesy Old Toy Soldier Auctions)

LiveAuctioneers.com in the sale featuring items from the collection of the late Paul A. Germain, and part two of the Dr. Arthur Puglisi collection.

Eight Mignot dioramas will command the spotlight as the first lot in the opening session. Among the top entries are a 1980s Alpine diorama with Nordic ski troopers, presented in a three-tier display box, and a French Foreign Legion diorama.

Several specialty collections will be featured on day two. One of the highlights is a rare boxed prewar Britains Exploding Trench (estimate $3,000-$5,000), one of possibly three known examples.

Comic character figures are also represented with top lots including Felix the Cat, Flip the Frog and Rex the Lion (estimate $500-$700). Rex was the mascot for the 1937 Coronation of England’s King George VI.

For more information on Old Toy Soldiers auctions or to view the online auction catalog, visit www.oldtoysoldiers.com, call 412-343-8733 (toll-free 800-349-8009) or e-mail raytoys@aol.com.

This is one of the various lots of medieval figures set for sale, a collection of Graham Farish figures. (Photo courtesy Old Toy Soldier Auctions)

This unique Heyde minstrel nodder band is one of several bobble-headed musician groups to be sold in the auction, all circa 1920s, and carrying estimates of $500 to $700. (Photo courtesy Old Toy Soldier Auctions)

Of the items receiving the most presale chatter is an assortment of Courtenay medieval figures, including this tournament knight which is expected to sell for $600 to $800. (Photo courtesy Old Toy Soldier Auctions).

A highlight of the German-based soldier lots is this 1905 Spenkuch set of Frederick the Great’s Guards, which is said to be in virtually mint condition and carries an estimate of $3,000 to $4,000. (Photo courtesy Old Toy Soldier Auctions)

Rex the Lion, a Britains comic character figure, served as the mascot for the 1937 coronation of England’s King George VI, and carries a presale estimate of $500 to $700. (Photo courtesy Old Toy Soldier Auctions)

This Britains original paint room sample card heads into the sale with an estimate of $2,000 to $3,000. (Photo courtesy Old Toy Soldier Auctions)